Interior Care
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 297
Likes: 33
Interior Care
I'm curious what everyone uses to keep up on the interior of their C5's
My seats are not really a concern as they are destroyed and will be replaced soon with some nice Corbeau A4 leather seats, but I definitely want to keep everything else inside the car looking clean and fresh. The car is strictly garage other than a few exceptions so I am not worried about the constant assault of the sun, but I do want to prevent the dash and the rest of the interior from drying out, cracking and becoming brittle over time. I've started replacing a few of the dried out and bad bits in the interior with some nicely seasoned used parts so everything matches as it should. I just want to ensure this car will last me another 10-20 years to come.
Thanks!
My seats are not really a concern as they are destroyed and will be replaced soon with some nice Corbeau A4 leather seats, but I definitely want to keep everything else inside the car looking clean and fresh. The car is strictly garage other than a few exceptions so I am not worried about the constant assault of the sun, but I do want to prevent the dash and the rest of the interior from drying out, cracking and becoming brittle over time. I've started replacing a few of the dried out and bad bits in the interior with some nicely seasoned used parts so everything matches as it should. I just want to ensure this car will last me another 10-20 years to come.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 297
Likes: 33
And this is exactly why I asked lol I never have even heard 303. Chances are, if it's sold in a store, I overlook it because it's not a brand name. Ignorant of me I know!
Any suggestions for the leather pieces? Are the Dashboards on these cars actually leather, or are they pleather/vinyl? From the looks of it, I feel like it may be the latter, however I am not too smart with being able to tell the difference sometimes.
Any suggestions for the leather pieces? Are the Dashboards on these cars actually leather, or are they pleather/vinyl? From the looks of it, I feel like it may be the latter, however I am not too smart with being able to tell the difference sometimes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
My 04 Vert sits outside. So, here is my counter to the Sun rays:
1. Cool Cap top cover. Keeps interior below 85 degrees in 100 degree outside temps. Ecklers #255601.
2. Dash cover. Use while driving and when car sits out in the sun away from home. ZIP # X-2158
3. Center Console Cover - Southern Car Parts, #KACORC5B. Keeps center console clean and not hot when top is down.
4. Towel car seat covers – Keeps seats cooler when the top is down. Also helps keep seats clean.
5. Only use mild soap and water to clean the vinyl interior items Sparingly use the solvents that advertise protection for leather seats.
1. Cool Cap top cover. Keeps interior below 85 degrees in 100 degree outside temps. Ecklers #255601.
2. Dash cover. Use while driving and when car sits out in the sun away from home. ZIP # X-2158
3. Center Console Cover - Southern Car Parts, #KACORC5B. Keeps center console clean and not hot when top is down.
4. Towel car seat covers – Keeps seats cooler when the top is down. Also helps keep seats clean.
5. Only use mild soap and water to clean the vinyl interior items Sparingly use the solvents that advertise protection for leather seats.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 105
From: Benton Arkansas
And this is exactly why I asked lol I never have even heard 303. Chances are, if it's sold in a store, I overlook it because it's not a brand name. Ignorant of me I know!
Any suggestions for the leather pieces? Are the Dashboards on these cars actually leather, or are they pleather/vinyl? From the looks of it, I feel like it may be the latter, however I am not too smart with being able to tell the difference sometimes.
Any suggestions for the leather pieces? Are the Dashboards on these cars actually leather, or are they pleather/vinyl? From the looks of it, I feel like it may be the latter, however I am not too smart with being able to tell the difference sometimes.
BTW, I get 303 through Amazon when I can't find it in stores.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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The only thing I use on my dash is a moist rag with a little mild dishwashing soap to get any dirt off then follow up with a dry clean rag. For my leather seats, the same goes and on occasion I'll use Mequires leather conditioner on the leather pieces. This has worked very well for me.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Davidsonville Maryland
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Visit the Car Care Discussion section for better information. This topic, much like which wax is best, is a very subjective one. It's purely personal preference as there are several type of methods and cleaners out there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 297
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Leesburg Fl
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Edmonton AB
I wash my car, dry it with a micro-fiber towel, then wipe down the interior with it when I am finished the outside. No chemicals, nothing... interior looks brand new except for the token wear on the leather seats.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 19
From: Hugo MN
I clean the dash and door panels with water and a microfiber towel.
I wipe down the seats with water and a microfiber towel once a week. 2-3 times a year I use Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner on the seats.
Seats are like new with no sign of wear.
Aerospace 303 is a great product and I use it on the tires, fender liners and the front air dam. I don't use it on the interior, especially the seats, as it will make them shiny and slippery.
I wipe down the seats with water and a microfiber towel once a week. 2-3 times a year I use Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner on the seats.
Seats are like new with no sign of wear.
Aerospace 303 is a great product and I use it on the tires, fender liners and the front air dam. I don't use it on the interior, especially the seats, as it will make them shiny and slippery.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 169
Likes: 22
From: Shelton WA
I'm a believer as well in the damp towel after we bought our vette a few months ago and i read thats what many do on here! I used some meguiars ultimate protectant on my wife's corolla-dash was so shiny she couldn't see because of the reflection. Never again!! Ive used various "cleaners" in the past on my mustang show cars-griots, meguiars, etc etc but 99% of the stuff i was wiping off was dust, so figured i was just being dumb spending money-If i was going to use a "protectant" i would definitely go with the 303-if you can't find it, go to any boat store and they should hook you up (use it on my ski nautique religiously and its good stuff). But remember if you go to a boat store, they're gonna stick ya on the price 
jp
jp
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
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Sorry its this screen name.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
+100 on that. I use it and am very happy with the results. It has some shine but nothing that is obnoxious like Armor All. Just the first time I used it I had someone at a car show (a car show veteran I might add) make comments and asked me what I used to get my interior looking so good.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 297
Likes: 33
I'll be heading to Autozone anyway after I leave the GM dealership today. Glass guy broke a clip on my a pillar panel in the Duramax... At least he came out of pocket for it lol I just hate going to a stealership for parts...
I'll be looking for a bottle of this 303
Thanks everyone!
I'll be looking for a bottle of this 303
Thanks everyone!
Last edited by slow_pokeC5; Aug 4, 2017 at 09:31 AM.